Up To Our Elbows In Bee's Knees

Looking out my office window right now I have an amazing view.  The young fruit trees that we planted our first spring here at Two Crones Farm are showing just the hint of buds about to bloom.  The lush green field grass that whip at their trucks is waving in the early morning breeze.  Riki Kitty has joined me, unusual for her since she is one of the "Don't Touch Me" types.  I guess even she can't resist the view from her perch on my desk.

Borago Officinalis

Then there are the wild flowers, some seeded last season from a random packet I picked up at a garden show, some brought in on the wind and the wing.  The borage  is in full regalia, bright blue and tasty like fresh slices of cucumber.    I added borage as a companion planting for our strawberry bed last year and it has reseeded itself magnificently.  It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the search image of the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs.  While the large stand of borage has drawn our fair share of pollinators all winter long, we don't often stop to consider that this incredible display is all an attempt to attract bees and other pollinators. These displays don't just consist of things humans notice. There are also patterns in the ultraviolet spectrum, petal temperatures and textures and shapes.

Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha), planted last spring, has taken on a life of it's own of course.  It fully consumes 1/3 of a corner bed, besides being easy to care for, Mexican sage reaches full blossoming in the early fall and lasts until late fall. This is an advantage to gardeners seeking some color in flower beds when most other blooms have faded.  Another great addition to entice the bee's to visit.

I don't know the name of this pretty orange flower but it has popped up in several spots in the yard.  The stem is just tall enough to stay above the field grass, giving the blooms support and adding a bit of whimsy to the waves.  All in all, how our little flower garden grows is up to Mother Nature and wherever the blooms arise, the bees find them.  Here's to Bee's Knees and all the good fruit that their labors ensure!